Speedway: Hull of a point to prove

If hungry riders make better riders than those with a few quid in their pocket, Newcastle Diamonds will register their first victory of the season against Hull in tomorrow's Premier Trophy match at Brough Park (5.30).

If hungry riders make better riders than those with a few quid in their pocket, Newcastle Diamonds will register their first victory of the season against Hull in tomorrow's Premier Trophy match at Brough Park (5.30).

Following seven defeats in seven matches, last weekend's postponement of back-to-back fixtures because of rain means most of the Diamonds have had no income for two weeks and are starting to feel the pinch.

According to co-promoter George English, that might just work in Newcastle's favour tomorrow.

He said today: "Dickie Juul has been far and away our best rider so far this year and, with his testimonial proceeds as well, he is probably the only one not on speedway's equivalent of skid row.

"The rest of the lads need to go out and get among the points against Hull to boost their bank balances and give everyone connected with the club a boost with our first win. I firmly believe we can do it."

Kristian Lund makes his first appearance in what is really his second debut for the Diamonds after his short five-match stint last year.

Lund finished fourth in a Danish Under-21 Championship qualifier last Sunday and is in good form back in Denmark.

The acid test is whether he can translate that form to Premier League action over here on a regular basis.

Newcastle skipper Juul rides for Elite League parent club Wolverhampton at Eastbourne tonight, so faces a long haul back to Tyneside for tomorrow's match.

Hull, in action at Berwick this evening, include veterans Paul Thorp and Garry Stead in the side and, despite having left the Diamonds' ranks 10 years ago, both are capable of posing a severe threat to Newcastle's chances of that elusive first win.

The Vikings hammered the Diamonds 58-35 last month at Craven Park so they should be able to collect at least the bonus point for the aggregate victory tomorrow.